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Nikodim says China deal tremendous opportunity

The head of the Missouri Pork Association says the U.S. deal reached a partial deal with China on Friday is huge for the pork industry. 

President Trump’s announcement came just a few hours after Missouri Governor Mike Parson proclaimed October as Missouri Pork Month during a celebration at the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

“Very timely to celebrate pork month with a great announcement like that. We’ll take that any day,” says Don Nikodim.

Nikodim tells Brownfield he thinks the US/Japan deal signed this week put some much-needed pressure on China, “Having this agreement here is pretty exciting. And when you consider the situation in China right now with the huge demand for pork, the U.S. is certainly in a great position to help meet that demand. So, we think this is just a tremendous opportunity.”

Nikodim says China has been making increased purchases of U.S. pork lately which was a good sign. Now, he says, Congress needs to pass the USMCA.

The tentative U.S./China deal says China will buy $40 to 50 Billion in ag goods but does not specify over what time period.